How To Price Roofing Jobs Australia
|---|---| | Colorbond steel (standard pitch) | $35–$55 | $80–$130 | | Concrete tiles (standard pitch) | $30–$50 | $75–$120 | | Terracotta tiles | $40–$65 | $100–$160 | | Metal standing seam | $60–$90 | $140–$200 | | Gutters and fascia replacement | $80–$120 per linear metre | — |
These are ballpark figures. Your actual rate depends on your overheads, your market, and the factors covered below.
2. Day Rate
Some roofers prefer a day rate for repair work, maintenance, and jobs where scope is unclear until you're on the roof. A day rate covers your labour regardless of how long a specific task takes.
Typical 2026 day rates (AUD): - Single tradie: $600–$950 per day - Tradie + labourer: $1,000–$1,500 per day
Day rates work well for insurance repair work, storm damage assessments, and maintenance contracts where you need flexibility.
3. Fixed Quote
A fixed-price quote suits jobs where scope is clearly defined — a full reroof on a measured house, a new home build with architectural plans, or a commercial roof replacement with a tender document.
Fixed quotes carry risk for the roofer if scope changes during the job. Include clear variation terms in your quote: any change in scope, discovery of damaged substrate, or access issues not evident at quote stage will be charged as a variation at your day rate.
Factors That Affect Roofing Prices
The per-sqm rate is just the starting point. These factors adjust the final number:
Roof Pitch
- Standard pitch (15–25 degrees): Base rate
- Medium pitch (25–35 degrees): Add 15–25%
- Steep pitch (35+ degrees): Add 30–50% — additional safety requirements, slower work rate, may require scaffolding
Roof Access
- Easy single-storey access: Base rate
- Two-storey: Add 15–20%
- Scaffolding required: Scaffolding hire is typically $800–$2,500 for a residential job depending on size and duration
- Crane required (steep rural properties, tight access): Add $500–$1,500 for crane hire
Material
- Colorbond: Generally easier to handle, faster to install than tile
- Concrete tiles: Heavy, slower, harder on the body
- Terracotta tiles: Premium product, slower install, more fragile
- Custom or heritage materials: Quote on application
Location
- Metro vs regional: Labour costs vary significantly. Regional Queensland or WA mining areas can command 20–30% higher rates due to demand and travel.
- Travel and accommodation: For jobs more than 1 hour from your depot, factor in travel time at your hourly rate and accommodation costs if needed.
Existing Conditions
- Removing existing roofing (reroof vs new): Waste removal and labour adds $10–$25/sqm
- Damaged sarking or battens discovered on the job: Quote this as a variation
- Asbestos (pre-1990 homes): Do not quote without an asbestos assessment. Licensed asbestos removal is separate from your roofing quote.
Waste Removal
Often forgotten in quotes. Skip bin hire for a standard residential reroof is $400–$800. Either include it in your quote or list it as a separate line item.
Pricing Table: Typical Total Job Costs by Roof Type and Size
| Roof Size | Material | Typical Total Cost (Supply & Install, AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| 150 sqm | Colorbond steel | $12,000–$19,500 |
| 150 sqm | Concrete tile | $11,250–$18,000 |
| 150 sqm | Terracotta tile | $15,000–$24,000 |
| 220 sqm | Colorbond steel | $17,600–$28,600 |
| 220 sqm | Concrete tile | $16,500–$26,400 |
| 220 sqm | Terracotta tile | $22,000–$35,200 |
| 300 sqm | Colorbond steel | $24,000–$39,000 |
| 300 sqm | Metal standing seam | $42,000–$60,000 |
Add 20–40% to any figure above for steep pitch, difficult access, or heritage requirements.
How to Build Your Quote Correctly
A well-built quote protects you legally and professionally. Include:
-
Scope of works — exactly what you are doing. "Supply and install Colorbond® Ironstone steel roofing over 210 sqm, including removal and disposal of existing tiles, replace damaged battens as required (variations at $X/hr), install new ridge capping, install gutters and downpipes."
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Materials specified — product name, colour, brand. Customers can't compare quotes if they're comparing different products.
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Exclusions — what's not included. Asbestos removal, electrical work, fascia painting, internal ceiling repairs.
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Payment terms — deposit amount (typically 10–30%), progress payment triggers, balance on completion. Never start a job without a deposit.
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Validity period — quote valid for 30 days. Material prices move. Steel prices in particular can shift significantly in a quarter.
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Variation clause — any changes to scope will be quoted separately before work proceeds.
The Follow-Up Problem: Where Roofers Leave Money
You send a quote. The customer doesn't respond. You assume they went with someone else and move on.
Three days later, they call someone else — because you never followed up.
Most roofing quotes are won or lost in the follow-up, not the price. Research consistently shows that the majority of service customers choose the first business that responds clearly and follows up consistently.
A simple follow-up sequence: - Day 2 after quote: "Hi [Name], just checking in on the quote I sent through. Happy to answer any questions — just reply here or give me a call." - Day 5: "Just a quick follow-up on the quote for your [Colorbond] reroof. We're booking into [month] at the moment — let me know if you'd like to lock in a date." - Day 10: "Last follow-up from me — just want to make sure you received the quote and didn't have any questions. No pressure — just here if you need."
This sequence alone converts a meaningful percentage of "silent" quotes into booked jobs. Kabooyaa automates this entire sequence — you send the quote, and the follow-ups go out automatically on the schedule you set.
FAQ
How much does it cost to reroof a house in Australia in 2026?
For a typical 180–220 sqm residential home with standard-pitch Colorbond roofing, expect $15,000–$28,000 supply and installed. Tile roofs in the same size range run $14,000–$26,000. Steep pitch, scaffolding requirements, and heritage materials push costs higher.
Should I quote labour only or supply and install for roofing jobs?
For most residential jobs, supply and install is the easier conversation — customers want one number. Labour-only quotes work better for builders or developers sourcing materials themselves. Make sure your supply margins are factored into your per-sqm rate.
How much should I charge per sqm for roofing labour in Australia?
Labour-only rates in 2026 typically range from $30–$65/sqm depending on roof type, pitch, and location. Steep pitch, difficult access, and complex profiles command a premium.
What deposit should I take on a roofing job?
A 10–30% deposit is standard in Australia for residential roofing. For large commercial jobs, progress payments tied to milestones are common. Always get a deposit before ordering materials.
How do I handle quotes that go quiet?
Set up an automated follow-up sequence. Most quotes don't go silent because the customer chose someone else — they go silent because the customer is busy and waiting for someone to prompt them. A simple 3-touch follow-up sequence converts a significant portion of "dead" quotes into booked jobs.
Get Your Pricing Right From the Start
Price your jobs based on real costs — materials, labour, overheads, equipment, travel, and your target margin. Don't price against competitors you can't see — you don't know their costs, their quality, or their terms.
And once the quote goes out, follow up. The job you quote but don't follow up on is the most expensive job you never did.
Want to automate your quote follow-up? Kabooyaa sends timed follow-up messages after every quote, automatically. Start at kabooyaa.com.au.
Related Reading
- How to Automate Job Completion Follow-Up for Roofers (And Get More Repeat Business)
- Best CRM for Roofers in Australia: How to Handle Storm Season Without Dropping Leads
- Best CRM for Roofers in Australia (2026): Manage Every Lead, Quote and Job in One Place
- How Roofers Can Win More Storm Damage Jobs (The Fast-Response Playbook)
- How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a CRM for a Trade Business in Australia?
